School Transport Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2015

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

Questions (494)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

494. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school buses that were tested for safety in the past 12 months; and the percentage of buses that passed those tests. [5729/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Buses provide services to carry school children both under the Department of Education and Skills School Transport Scheme and also in a private capacity hired by, for example, parents of school children or schools.

Every school bus is required to be tested under the Road Safety Authority's (RSA) Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (CVRT), which is the primary annual vehicle safety inspection.

All Bus Éireann buses and those owned by operators contracted by Bus Éireann are required to have a valid annual roadworthiness test certificate in order to be used to provide school transport services.

The RSA may be in a position to provide national statistics for these tests.